I went hiking today. What a wonderful day it has been. I packed a small pack, loaded up the sheep dog, met up with my friend Donna and we headed to Drift Creek Falls Trail. This is an easy hike with great scenery. It has a very fun suspension bridge over the gorge. In fact it is the longest suspension bridge in Oregon & Washington.
We were fortunate to have the trail to ourselves until after we had headed back. Charlie my sheepdog was disappointed though, she likes meeting lots of new friends on the trail. Personally I love the feeling of empty space around me and the quietness that can only be found far from roads and crowds of people.
On the way back we came across some very fresh scat on the trail. Donna asked, “Was that there on the way in?” “Nope” I replied. She then asked, “Is that from Charlie?” I shook my head and said, “No, not from Charlie that is not dog scat.” She was quiet for a moment and then said, “is it deer?” “No, it is not deer” I replied. She finally said, “Is it human?” That made me laugh and I finally choked out, “No, it is not human.” I could see the mental wheels turning and she was not liking the choices that were left. She finally said, “Bear?” I laughed and said, “Yep”. She looked at me incredulously and said, "But … but that means a bear was here after we walked by … just a few minutes ago … a bear?” I tried to not laugh but failed and laughingly said, Donna, that is kinda what bears do in the woods.” She stammered and stuttered for a while and then said, “And why do you know that?”
The laughter was good for my soul today. The sunshine, the beautiful scenery, the change of pace all refreshed and energized me. Today I am thankful for the beauty of God’s creation and the chance to let that beauty speak so clearly to my mind and heart.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men” Ecclesiastes 3:11
We were fortunate to have the trail to ourselves until after we had headed back. Charlie my sheepdog was disappointed though, she likes meeting lots of new friends on the trail. Personally I love the feeling of empty space around me and the quietness that can only be found far from roads and crowds of people.
On the way back we came across some very fresh scat on the trail. Donna asked, “Was that there on the way in?” “Nope” I replied. She then asked, “Is that from Charlie?” I shook my head and said, “No, not from Charlie that is not dog scat.” She was quiet for a moment and then said, “is it deer?” “No, it is not deer” I replied. She finally said, “Is it human?” That made me laugh and I finally choked out, “No, it is not human.” I could see the mental wheels turning and she was not liking the choices that were left. She finally said, “Bear?” I laughed and said, “Yep”. She looked at me incredulously and said, "But … but that means a bear was here after we walked by … just a few minutes ago … a bear?” I tried to not laugh but failed and laughingly said, Donna, that is kinda what bears do in the woods.” She stammered and stuttered for a while and then said, “And why do you know that?”
The laughter was good for my soul today. The sunshine, the beautiful scenery, the change of pace all refreshed and energized me. Today I am thankful for the beauty of God’s creation and the chance to let that beauty speak so clearly to my mind and heart.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men” Ecclesiastes 3:11
The world is bigger and better than my grief and sadness makes me think it is. There is love, laughter and the joy of God’s love to be found at every turn. I just need to take the time to look.
Just Connie
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